Biloxi set to begin $350M water & sewer project

BILOXI, MS (WLOX) - In the next couple of months, more than a million feet of sewer and water lines will get a major overhaul in Biloxi. FEMA is footing the nearly $350 million bill to repair existing lines, including storm drains damaged during Hurricane Katrina.

"[Point Cadet] got hit the hardest, so there's probably about $180 million worth of work to be done right there," said Marvin Dalla Rosa with HNTB Corporation, the company hired to do the work.

Lines running along Highway 90 from the Point to Debuys Road will get repaired, as well as areas along Biloxi's Back Bay.

"It's kind of been band-aided together [since Katrina]. Without the good infrastructure system in place, the water and sewer system, you really can't build the city back to what it needs to be," Dalla Rosa said.

Improvements will also be made to some of the streets, curbing and sidewalks damaged in Katrina, but those involved with the project say the primary focus will be on improvements made underground.

"As we replace the water, sewer and storm drain systems that were damaged, if necessary, the streets will be repaired in some of the areas, but just where the damage has occurred."

The work will take about four years to complete. Dalla Rosa said the work actually got going about a year ago, but was delayed. He said FEMA had to inspect piping and the city wanted to make sure FEMA would foot the bill.

Neighbors will get updates online through the city's B-mail, notices and community meetings.